Men’s Squad Review – 2009/10

Following on from the success of last year, which saw the Fastbreak team promoted to Division 2, this year has seen a further rise in the standard of basketball played across the men’s squad. The quality of basketball has undoubtedly helped to support the ability for the squad to field 2 teams into the Wessex League this season. My, and the squad’s, thanks must therefore go to Rod for his sterling efforts to ensure that the standard continues to rise; essential for future seasons.

The summary of the season is that the newly created Force team ended their first season in a very respectable mid-table position in Division 3 whilst the Fastbreak team, continuing on from their promotion season last year, has achieved a back-to-back promotion effort clinching the 2nd automatic promotion position in
Division 2.

SQUAD

The Men’s squad had 27 full members registered by the end of the season with an average of 5 casual members making up numbers. Although on paper the squad is healthy in numbers, the average training figures are considerably lower with normally 15 players training, resulting in average availability for both teams’ games reflecting this low training figure; a concern for the future.

In short, for those reading this that are not part of the club and looking for a team (or want a fresh team) in the coming season, Chiltern provides the opportunity for you to get competitive basketball. We would welcome all interested individuals no matter your basketball background; with 2 teams in differing leagues we can cater for all abilities/requirements.

As an aside to be considered, the main improvement the squad needs to make for the coming season, except for their being a greater availability of players, is that their needs to be a dedicated social secretary. Any volunteers?!

FORCE



The Force team started off the season as the Under-18s Boys team re-badged and entered into a far more competitive men’s league compared to the league they played in last year; being a round-robin affair against Aylesbury based under-18s. Consequently our under-18s are far more hardened and competent basketball players, who would walk the previous league they were entered in. Although the season got underway with a large number of younger players the team was bolstered with several ‘more senior’ individuals who provided some of the additional physical presence required to be competitive.

The Force team won the games that they were scheduled to do so, but also managed to upset one or 2 of the stronger teams in the league. The biggest scare for our competitors was when with 3 qtrs of the game played the Force team were less than 6 points behind Farnborough Shadows, the eventual league champions. Not a game the Shadows were expecting, and certainly not against a team with only 7 players, one of whom turned up midway through the 2nd qtr.

In summary the season has established a good footing on which the Force team needs to maximize from next season. There is no doubt as we approach the 10/11 season the Force team will be a ‘true’ second team with a happier mixture of seasoned players and emerging youth. Well done and let’s look to the future.

FASTBREAK



The Fastbreak team started off with a very poor performance against Woodley Green Flash, a game which should not have been lost, that despite Woodley being good for the win they took on their own court midway through the league. Despite the initial loss the Fastbreak team then went on an 8 game winning streak.

Post-Christmas it was clear that most, including myself, had indulged a little too much on the Christmas Pud and had not spent any time with training shoes on – unless the slippers were not available to take the bottles to the recycle bin and the trainers were the closest thing to hand. Consequently the team lost 2 games back to back.

However post-Christmas blues over the team got back into winning ways by turning over our old adversaries from last year, Whitley Wizards. Although a close game the team should grit and determination to not allow a potential loss to un-saddle what went on to become a promotion winning season – I believe had we lost this game then the season would have been over.

The remainder of the season went without any real noticeable events, although there was a satisfying win against Windsor Warriors, not because of the winning margin (as we had bigger), but because of the way the team played against a decent opposition on their day. Congratulations.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Although I pay significant recognition to the achievements of the players, it would be totally wrong of me not to recognize the supporting infrastructure which has provided the basis from which the teams have been able to springboard. Therefore I would like to recognize the vital role the committee has played, for all those lost Tuesday evenings, those midweek frantic exchanges of finances either with me or Malcolm, the lost hours emailing/updating the web, writing up the minutes from the meetings, coordinating membership registration, the booking of sports halls, the arranging of match officials, being match officials......the list could go on but thank you, Rod, Malcolm, Caroline, Jon, Chris, Hedley, Alison, Kirsty and Don (as well as Mrs Cooke and Jamieson for their hospitality).
Thank you and well done, here's to 10/11.

Yours,
Gareth Taylor
Men’s Secretary